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Lack Of Fund May Dash Nigeria’s Hope of African Olympic Qualifier Championship

Published

6 years ago

February 17, 2020

Joel Ajayi

With just 4 days to the commencement of the World Taekwondo (WT) African Olympic Qualification Tournament this weekend in Morocco, the hope of Nigeria’s participation may be dash unless money is released for athletes to participate.

Aljazirah Nigeria Sports gathered that the team is expected to depart the country on Tuesday (Tomorrow) for the tournament but feelers from the Ministry of Youth and Sports showed that lack of fund may prevent the team from making the trip to Rabat, Morocco.

Already, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) had secured a visa for the participating athletes and officials as the team is still awaiting the nod from the Sports Ministry to be certain of being part of the qualifiers later this week.

Meanwhile, the athletes that will represent Nigeria at the qualifiers will be made known later this week as over 20 athletes are at present shaping up in Abuja for the qualifiers as Nigeria is aiming to return to the Olympic Games after its last appearance at London 2012.

Following the successful campaign at the Fujairah Open held in Dubai last month, where Elizabeth Anayancho and Benjamin Okuomose picked up bronze medals for Nigeria, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare has assured the team of his support.

However, the African Qualification Tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the Taekwondo event will be taking place 20 – 24 February 2020 in Rabat, Morocco. The finalists in each weight category will secure their places at Tokyo 2020.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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